The Natural Brain Boost
Ground-breaking research reveals that acute supplementation with blackcurrant extract can help to increase human cognitive function and performance. What’s more, this new research also suggests that blackcurrant juice can play an important role in slowing the cognitive decline associated with ageing and disorders including dementia.
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study was conducted using 36 healthy young participants (18–35 years). The sample was given blackcurrant juice which was found to boost the ability to undertake tasks requiring alertness, vigilance and sustained attention. Findings from the intervention illustrate a cognitive benefit of acute blackcurrant supplementation in healthy young humans. What’s more, mental fatigue was found to be reduced in those consuming blackcurrant juices, further proving that blackcurrants help you to get into the zone.
The new research suggests that the consumption of blackcurrant juice may well play an important role not only in improving cognitive performance but also in slowing the cognitive decline associated with natural ageing and disorders including dementia.
The Power of Polyphenols
Blackcurrant juice contains berry fruit polyphenols, natural compounds renowned for playing an important role in reducing the progression of neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. These incredible polyphenols have antioxidant properties which help to prevent and reduce the progression of diabetes, cancer and neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases as well as increasing the healthy bacteria (Bifidobacterium) in the gut. As this new research has demonstrated, the consumption of berry fruit polyphenols also has an effect in improving human cognitive performance.
“There has been much research undertaken to identify the benefits of fruit intake on cognitive performance and their ability to reduce the extent of cognitive decline and dementia. Generally, the data suggests that berries are the best fruit for this beneficial effect. Here, this new study with healthy young participants confirms that blackcurrant juice intake is associated with an increase in ability to perform multiple repetitions of attention tasks requiring alertness, vigilance, sustained attention, mood and mental fatigue.” Professor Derek Stewart of the James Hutton Institute in Scotland
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